Dawson wants to return to the Browns for a 15th season, but whether that happens depends on CEO Joe Banner and Dawson's agent, Neil Cornrich, coming to an agreement. Dawson was the Browns' franchise player in 2011 and 2012. He will not be their franchise player in 2013. For that to happen, Dawson would have to be paid the average salary of the top five highest-paid players in the league in 2012 regardless of position. That works out to roughly $14 million.

"I'm fully confident that when the appropriate time of year comes around there'll be discussions," Dawson said. "My mentality is if I play badly these last three games, no one will want me. So my focus truly is doing my job this week. Then I'll start it over next week and get ready for Denver and then start it over again and try to get ready for Pittsburgh."

Advertisement

Because Dawson is the Browns' franchise player, the CBA between the union and the owners prohibits the Browns and Cornrich from negotiating a new contract before the new league year begins approximately March 1.

"We've got a lot to look forward to right now," Dawson said. "This is not the time to be thinking about individual things. That's what the offseason is for. I would enjoy nothing more than seeing this team finish the season the right way. Who knows what doors might open up after that for this team?"

The Browns (5-8) are alive in the playoff hunt. They must win their last three games and get a lot of help from other teams.

Dawson has never played in a Pro Bowl despite posting Pro Bowl numbers throughout his career. He has kicked 302 field goals, something only 24 kickers in NFL history have done. He has made 84.1 percent of his kicks (302 of 359). That is the highest percentage of any kicker in the 300 club.

Dawson has appeared in only one playoff game, and that was a 36-33 loss to the Steelers 10 years ago. There would be irony in the Browns going out and signing a different kicker when they are on the brink of becoming a legitimate contender.

"God knows what He's doing, and His timing always works," Dawson said. "But I've joked through the years. I don't want to be Moses. I don't want to lead the people right to the edge of the Promised Land and not get to go in.

"Whatever happens moving forward, I'm just grateful for the time I've had. It's allowed me many positive benefits for myself and my family. It's been a privilege to be here so long. It's afforded me an opportunity to develop a real close bond with the city and the fans. That's a direct result of being here so long. This is where I raised my kids.

"This isn't a goodbye, but that's truly how I feel about this place whether this is it or I'm here another five years."

Dawson has scored 1,258 points, including the first rushing touchdown of the expansion era when he ran across the goal line off a fake field goal in an 18-17 loss to the Bengals on Oct. 10, 1999.

Dawson is 91 points behind Browns all-time scoring leader Lou Groza (1,349). If he re-signs, the 37-year-old Texan should break the record in November or December of next year. He said breaking the record was a goal he set as a rookie in 1999. Now it is within reach.

Dawson is classy

Anyone who has read these pages over the years should know the respect I have for Dawson. That does not stem only from his success as a kicker but because of the way he conducts himself. I believe any player on any team would have difficulty finding a better teammate.

Here is one example why I believe the Browns would be losing a lot more than a great kicker if they do not re-sign Dawson. He was asked Friday for his fondest memory of games at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

He could have mentioned the game against Buffalo in 2007 when he kicked a 35-yard and a 49-yard field goal in a blizzard with wind gusts of 40 mph in a game the Browns won, 8-0. No one would have disagreed, either.

But no, Dawson did not recall that one. Instead, he mentioned a game when another player was the hero.

"That Atlanta game (in 2002) when William Green broke that long (64-yard touchdown) run," he said. "That's as loud as I've ever heard that place. That was the game that got us in the playoffs that year. That was a pretty special moment, but there have been so many."

It will be a special moment next season if Dawson gets the chance to break the record.

Pinkston returning

Jason Pinkston, who last played on Oct. 14 because doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs five days later, has recovered and plans to play next season.

"It was pretty scary," Pinkston said. "(The doctor) said if I would've stayed in that game versus Cincinnati, if I would've gotten hit or taken a shot or something like that, I could've probably died. So I'm all happy about it that I'm still here."

Pinkston, the starting left guard until hit with his illness, said tests came back negative He said he is playing basketball and working out. He said he has to get an MRI or CT scan before he can begin football activities again, but plans to wait until next year for that. He is on doctor-prescribed blood thinners.

Twelve is enough

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell once again is suggesting expanding the playoffs from 12 teams to 14 or even 16 teams. Adding two playoff teams to each conference would obviously make for more drama in the final weeks of the season, but here's hoping the idea gets shot down again as it has in the past.

The regular season should be used to determine which teams are qualified to play in the postseason. It should not be used to weed out teams too pathetic to finish in the top half of the league.

Information for the NFL notebook was gathered by personal interviews and from other beat writers around the league.